The miniature form of skateboarding, fingerboarding, has gained popularity across the skating community. It has become a pastime for those eager to perform tricks and replicate skate park moves using just their fingers. Mastering fingerboard tricks requires a lot of patience and practice. Whether you're starting out and learning the basics or an experienced rider striving to refine advanced maneuvers, there are always new challenges to tackle. In this article, we’ll delve into some popular fingerboarding tricks and provide advice to help enhance your skills on the board.
Types of Fingerboard Tricks:
- Flat and flip tricks
- Grinds and slides
- Grab tricks
Flat and Flip Fingerboard Tricks
Ollie
To execute an ollie, use your middle or ring finger to hit the tail and make it pop upwards. While airborne, slide your index finger toward the nose to level the board. If it doesn't work immediately, try pulling back first to aid in completing the trick.
Fakie Ollie
Position your fingers as if you're riding in reverse, with your front finger on the tail and your back finger on the nose. Press down on the tail with your back finger, causing the board to pop into the air. As the board begins to rise, use your front finger to help level it out. Unlike a standard ollie, you don't slide your front finger to the nose but instead keep it steady and control the board’s movement towards the tail. Once the board reaches its peak, get ready to land by following the direction of the tail, which means you'll land in the fakie position.
Nollie
Place your fingers so that your front finger is on the tail and your back finger on the nose. Push down on the nose with your back finger to make the board pop into the air. As the board begins to ascend, use your front finger to help level the board and guide it through the air. Once the board reaches its highest point, prepare to land with the front finger guiding the board back down to the surface. Be sure to catch it before it touches the ground to complete the trick.
Grinds and Slides
50-50
Start by placing your front finger on the nose and your back finger on the tail, riding in a regular stance with the board parallel to the surface. Roll toward the rail or edge at a slight angle, aiming to land with both front and back wheels hitting the rail simultaneously. As you approach the rail, use a slight flick to hop onto it, ensuring both wheels land evenly and the board remains level. While grinding, keep your fingers steady and apply gentle pressure to maintain balance. As you near the end, lift the tail and nose to pop off and land smoothly.
5-0 (tail grind)
Position your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail, approaching the rail with enough speed for the grind. Angle the board so only the back wheels hit the rail, with the front wheels staying above. Use a slight pop to lift the board and place the back wheels on the rail, keeping the front wheels angled above it. Maintain balance with steady fingers and slight pressure on the back wheels. As you near the end, lift the nose with your front finger to pop off and land smoothly.
Board slide
Position your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail, approaching the rail with enough speed. Angle the board so only the back wheels hit the rail, keeping the front wheels above it. Use a slight pop to lift the board and place the back wheels on the rail, keeping the front wheels angled above. Maintain balance by applying light pressure on the back wheels. As you near the end, lift the nose with your front finger to pop off and land smoothly.
Grab Fingerboard Tricks
Foot Stomp
Place your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail in a regular stance. Roll toward a flat surface or obstacle, such as a ledge or ramp. Use your back finger to pop the tail down, similar to an ollie but with more emphasis on the tail slapping down. As the board pops, position your front finger to catch it and quickly "stomp" the front wheels onto the surface. After the stomp, catch the board and land smoothly, then roll away while maintaining control.
Hand plant
Start in your regular fingerboarding stance, with your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail. Roll towards the obstacle with enough speed to gain height. As you near the lip, use your back finger to pop the board into the air and move your front finger toward the ramp edge. Quickly plant your front finger on the lip like a handstand, keeping the board in the air. Once planted, use your back finger to guide the board back down into the ramp and land smoothly. Control the board and roll away.
Gymnast Plant
Start in your regular fingerboarding stance, with your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail. Roll towards a ramp or raised edge with enough speed to launch the board. As you approach the lip, pop the tail with your back finger to lift the board. While in the air, plant your front finger on the edge like a handstand, keeping the back of the board in the air. After a brief hold, lift the board with your back finger and guide it back down into the ramp. Land smoothly and roll away while controlling the board.
It takes time and practice to master fingerboarding tricks, but with persistence, you'll be grinding in no time! The key is to remain patient and keep experimenting, and with enough dedication, you'll soon be mastering tricks you once thought were impossible. Let your creativity flow as you continue to explore the endless possibilities of fingerboarding!
